Presented by Outland Denim, this event aims to recognise the efforts of local business and the broader social sector in supporting those most vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation in Cambodia.
One overriding factor in the proliferation of sex trafficking is the fundamental belief that the lives of women and girls are expendable. In societies where women and girls are undervalued or not valued at all, women are at greater risk for being abused, trafficked, and coerced into sex slavery.
Money raised from the event will be donated to local charity, PROJECT FUTURES.
PROJECT FUTURES gives hope by transforming the lives of women and children in Cambodia and Australia affected by sexual slavery, trafficking and exploitation.
Funds raised support established projects that work to prevent, support and empower victims, survivors and those at-risk.
In partnership with AFESIP Cambodia since 2009; the organisation founded and run by Somaly Mam, PROJECT FUTURES support the service to care for, and secure the rights of women and girls who have been victims or at-risk of human trafficking and sexual slavery.
AFESIP provides safe and secure housing, confidential psychological support, routine and emergency medical treatments, as well as professional legal assistance and opportunities for education and training.
The problem and reality of modern slavery is a growing epidemic.
The 'Business of Freedom' speaker event will showcase the work of local businesses and entrepreneurs working to solve the issue and be part of the solution.
The event will highlight the opportunity for charity, business and social enterprise to work in partnership; removing silos and forming powerful collaborations.
As knowledge of the growing global problem of modern slavery seeps further into everyday consciousness, businesses, government and consumers are increasingly being encouraged to respond to the crisis by seeking out and contributing in meaningful and tangible ways.
Guests will hear from international human rights activist and survivor of sex slavery, Somaly Mam, as well as Founder and CEO of Outland Denim, James Bartle as they share their personal and professional experiences in addressing the devastating issue of slavery in a modern context.
Date: Tuesday 6th March 2018
Where: Bond University, the Princeton Room
14 University Drive, Robina QLD
Time: 630pm - 930pm
Cost: $65 per person
(includes ticket, drinks and canapes)
Born into a tribal minority family in the Mondulkiri Province of Cambodia and sold at age 12, Somaly Mam is a survivor of sexual slavery and a human rights activist.
Forced to work in a brothel along with other children for nearly a decade, she was brutally tortured and raped on a daily basis. After escaping the industry with the help of a foreigner, she went on to establish a Cambodian non-governmental organisation (AFESIP Cambodia) to rehabilitate and reintegrate children and young girls who
have been rescued from the sex trade and sexual violence.
She has dedicated her life’s work to supporting victims by providing a safe space to start the healing process and empowering survivors to become agents of change. Her holistic approach ensures they not only escape their plight, but have the emotional and economic strength to face the future with hope.
Since 1997, Somaly has touched and supported the lives of over 7,000 victims, survivors and those at-risk of slavery and exploitation.
James Bartle is the founding CEO of Outland Denim; the denim brand making jeans differently.
Driven by the desire to curb the trafficking of young girls into an illicit commercial sex industry, Bartle created Outland Denim to generate training and employment opportunities for women vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
Over six years Bartle developed a unique production method that would enable each of his seamstresses to gain a covetable skill set in tailoring while crafting artisan quality jeans to the highest standard to compete in the global premium marketplace.
In 2016, he took Outland to scale, securing international investment and distribution to further the company's mission to employ more young women while concurrently investing heavily in supply chain and environmental stewardship.
With a background in manufacturing and start-up ventures, Bartle has taken a hands-on approach to developing Outland's signature jean styles, eschewing automation in favour of craftsmanship.
Born and raised in Sydney, Philip moved to the Gold Coast 18 months ago to help establish a second Freedom Hub venue on the Gold Coast.
The Freedom Hub (Sydney) was founded by Sally Irwin in 2016 as a social enterprise cafe and event space where local customers could enjoy healthy, fresh food knowing their money was making a difference.
100% of profits are donated to The Freedom Hub Survivor School; a place where survivors of slavery in Australia are trained, encouraged and prepared for the workforce through one-to-one mentoring, supported learning and practical application with partnered businesses.
Philip has been teaching Industrial Design for the last 15 years at schools in NSW and now QLD, but has always had a heart for the widows and orphans and those who cannot protect themselves. He is now at the forefront of the movement to address trafficking and slavery at a local level through the opening and application of this second venue.
Daniel is a social and political philosopher specialising in philosophies of dissent and coordinates the applied ethics program at Bond University.
He is specially interested in non-violent theories of resistance which stand up to authoritarian conditions. His book, The Political Thought of Vaclav Havel came out in 2016 with Brill.
Unfortunately this event will no longer be going ahead; however if you are still interested in seeing these speakers, please refer to the following event for more details - https://hub.benojo.com/campaigns/high-tea-by-the-sea